Workshop Descriptions
Saturday, May 13: 3:00 pm Workshop Options
Engineering Innovation: Building Ideas from the ground up (Part 1)
In this workshop, participants will learn a system to identify real solutions to real problems. Facilitators will introduce an innovation process for solving problems and crafting opportunities for exploration. This workshop provides an experience where teams will apply the innovation tools they learn to create new ideas, will work collaboratively in groups to sharpen those ideas and share them with the community, and then reflect on the process. As part of this workshop, participants will work on up to eight problems facing New England teens and young adults which will be identified by the Youth Council and conference organizers in advance. At the end of the workshop the conference participants will create a Solutions Wall showcasing the ideas formed by their collaboration, which can be shared with community leaders to propel dialogue on how to address the challenges facing Maine young people.
Starting or Growing a Side Hustle with Tech
A side hustle, that is, an extra part-time job, is a fairly common occurrence these days. Students are especially suited to side hustles as these ventures can take place alongside school and other interests. Side hustles not only bring extra income, but they also allow for trying out ideas before committing to them full-time. Your side hustle might be selling on Etsy a craft or product unique to your area, it might be a service for your local community, or it might be technology itself. The trick is how to be effective and efficient in your side hustle. In this workshop, we’ll explore different types of side hustles and then examine how technology can boost your productivity and your success. We’ll conclude with some brainstorming and sharing about how you might use these concepts in your own life.
Widening our Creative Comfort Zones
Some people are very creative thinkers. Some people don’t feel comfortable in situations that ask for creativity. Everyone can further stretch their creative comfort zone! We’ll do three new challenge-by-choice creative exercises that will help stretch those comfort zones.
Saturday, May 13: 4:00 pm Workshop Options
Engineering Innovation: Building Ideas from the ground up (Part 2)
In this workshop, participants will learn a system to identify real solutions to real problems. Facilitators will introduce an innovation process for solving problems and crafting opportunities for exploration. This workshop provides an experience where teams will apply the innovation tools they learn to create new ideas, will work collaboratively in groups to sharpen those ideas and share them with the community, and then reflect on the process. As part of this workshop, participants will work on up to eight problems facing New England teens and young adults which will be identified by the Youth Council and conference organizers in advance. At the end of the workshop the conference participants will create a Solutions Wall showcasing the ideas formed by their collaboration, which can be shared with community leaders to propel dialogue on how to address the challenges facing Maine young people.
Your Voice is Important! New 4-H Teen Leadership Program – Youth in Governance and Civic Engagement
Learn about and have a voice in the creation of an exciting new leadership program for teens to develop knowledge and skills on civic engagement and participation with local, state, or national governing committees. The program will provide opportunities for teens to select or create projects in areas of their interest (ex. agriculture, marine resources, county-based resources, etc.) that include service on public committees, participation on non-profit association boards, or policy advocacy with governmental organizations. Teens will be mentored by adults to assist their learning of governance processes. Workshop participants will gain introductory knowledge about civic engagement and provide input on how to shape this developing program.
Empowering ME and You
The goal of this workshop is to empower you to become advocates for yourselves in any relationship you enter whether it be with family, friends, coworkers, or a romantic partner. You will start by identifying your own positive qualities and sharing and processing those with others. You will then have the opportunity to read real-life quotes taken from various social media sites to determine if they portray healthy or unhealthy relationship language or behaviors. Imagine what could happen if we all understood our own self-worth and could build each other up instead of tearing each other down.
The Creativity of Building Peace
There will always be conflict in the world and in our lives and navigating toward peace is an active, creative process. When centered in the essence of the four disciplines of peacebuilding (relationships, curiosity, creativity, and risk- each of them requiring imagination), participants can explore the concept of the Wheel of Conflict, a tool in which they can understand and build compassion during conflict. The wheel of conflict includes structure, emotions, history, communication, and values. Maximum of 8 attendees.
Sunday, May 14: 11:00 am Workshop Options
Tick Tock: Strengthening Your Time Management Skills
Have you ever felt like there is not enough time in the day to get everything you need to get done? This workshop will be activity based. We will complete three different time management challenges that will require movement, creativity and flexible thinking. Then apply these skills using some tips and tricks to help prioritize time to help you to be the best version of you!
Rest and Reset
Dopamine, Serotonin, Oxytocin, and Endorphins are all things that sometimes seem in short supply when we’re in stress mode. We’re going to take a few moments to test out methods to gain a bit of each of these body chemicals to help you rest and reset so you can get back to the tasks at hand.
Widening our Creative Comfort Zones
Some people are very creative thinkers. Some people don’t feel comfortable in situations that ask for creativity. Everyone can further stretch their creative comfort zone! We’ll do three new challenge-by-choice creative exercises that will help stretch those comfort zones.
Calm The Conflict
Conflicted about how to deal with conflict? In this workshop, you will learn some techniques to make conflict management smoother and perhaps create desirable outcomes for everyone! This is an interactive workshop with possible role-play to practice skills. Learn strategies to effectively deal with difficult situations such as tough discussions and negotiation.
Sunday, May 14: 2:00 pm Workshop Options
Calm The Conflict
Conflicted about how to deal with conflict? In this workshop, you will learn some techniques to make conflict management smoother and perhaps create desirable outcomes for everyone! This is an interactive workshop with possible role-play to practice skills. Learn strategies to effectively deal with difficult situations such as tough discussions and negotiation.
Beating Procrastination
How many of us wait until the last minute to finish something we’re working on – even if it is something we enjoy? In this workshop we’ll identify our individual procrastination type and how we can best set ourselves up for success in limiting procrastination. Each participant will leave with a visual and interactive planning tool to use when we feel procrastination happening.
The Creativity of Building Peace
There will always be conflict in the world and in our lives and navigating toward peace is an active, creative process. When centered in the essence of the four disciplines of peacebuilding (relationships, curiosity, creativity, and risk- each of them requiring imagination), participants can explore the concept of the Wheel of Conflict, a tool in which they can understand and build compassion during conflict. The wheel of conflict includes structure, emotions, history, communication, and values. Maximum of 8 attendees.
Market Your Ideas!
Learn effective research and marketing techniques. Bring more people to your project or more customers to your product!